The SES-6 satellite, designed and manufactured for satellite operator SES by Astrium, Europe’s leading space technology company, has begun its journey to space. It left Astrium’s facility in Toulouse, France, after completion of its final integration and test campaign and is now en route to Baikonur, Kazakhstan, in preparation for its launch on a Proton vehicle.

Based on the highly reliable Eurostar E3000 platform, SES-6 is equipped with 43 C-band and 48 Ku-band transponders (36 MHz equivalent). It will enable the delivery of next generation broadcast services including HD video distribution and mobile services from its 40.5°W location in geostationary orbit, covering North and Latin America, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean.

SES-6 will have a launch mass of 6,100 kg, a wingspan of 40m once its solar arrays are deployed in orbit, and a spacecraft power of 13kW at the end of its 15-year design lifetime. Launch and Early Orbit Phase operations will be conducted from the Astrium spacecraft control centre in Toulouse.

SES-6 will be the sixth Eurostar satellite in the SES fleet, following the successful launch of ASTRA 2F in September 2012. Three more Eurostar E3000s for SES are currently in final integration and tests in Astrium facilities.

About Astrium

Astrium is the number one company in Europe for space technologies and the third in the world. It is the only global company that covers the full range of civil and defence space systems, equipment and services.

In 2012, Astrium had a turnover over €5.8 billion and 18,000 employees worldwide.

Its three business units are: Astrium Space Transportation, the European prime contractor for launchers, orbital systems and space exploration; Astrium Satellites, a leading provider of satellite system solutions, including spacecraft, ground segments, payloads and equipments; Astrium Services, the Space services partner for critical missions, providing comprehensive fixed and mobile solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, and bespoke geo-information services, worldwide.

Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2012, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of €56.5 billion and employed a workforce of over 140,000.